Francis I Stephen vs Yeshwant Rao Holkar II

Francis Stephen married Maria Theresa of Austria, uniting the Houses of Habsburg and Lorraine. This marriage created the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty and made Francis co-ruler of the Habsburg domains.

Francis became Grand Duke of Tuscany as part of the settlement ending the War of the Polish Succession. He ceded the Duchy of Lorraine to France in exchange, establishing a new power base for his family.

Upon Maria Theresa's accession, Francis became co-ruler of the Habsburg Monarchy. He focused on financial administration and economic reforms, including the establishment of the Habsburg state bank.

Francis was elected Holy Roman Emperor as Francis I, succeeding Charles VII. His election was secured by Maria Theresa's diplomatic efforts and ended the Bavarian interlude, restoring the imperial title to the Habsburgs.

Yeshwant Rao Holkar II became Maharaja of Indore at age 18 after the death of his father, Shivaji Rao Holkar. He was known for his modernist outlook and patronage of art and architecture.

Yeshwant Rao Holkar II commissioned the Manik Bagh Palace in Indore, designed by German architect Eckart Muthesius in the Art Deco style. The palace featured modernist furniture and became a landmark of 20th-century design.

Yeshwant Rao Holkar II amassed a significant collection of modern Western and Indian art, including works by artists like Brancusi and Magritte. His collection was displayed at Manik Bagh and later dispersed, influencing Indian art patronage.

Yeshwant Rao Holkar II signed the Instrument of Accession, merging Indore into the Dominion of India after independence. He later served as a Rajpramukh of Madhya Bharat until the state's reorganization in 1956.